A short time ago a memorial was presented by my colleague from the laboring man of the State of California.. signed by nearly 17.000. asking for relief on the same subjectmatter to which ths joint resolution of the Legislature which I now offbr relates. that is. to the importation of Chinese into the State of California. I use the word "importation" instead of "immigration" intentionally. as the eonect descriptive term. as I will explain. It is a subject of very considerable moment to us. I may say of the highest importance. and. although perhaps not well understood here. it is rapidly assuming such proportions as must necessarily make it a national question. I will read this resolution. as it embraces the whole sub etmatter. and will take occasion to explain the subject to which it relates in conneetion with the Burlingmo treaty: Coneorront resolution en Ciloes. immigration. Whereas the great influx of Chinese into the State of California has proved detrimental to the moral and matcrial wellbeing of our ilustrial classes by forcing oc thm a competition at wages below tic cost of suobistece to mn of our Own origin. who have families doending on theirlabor for snpport mid education. and whereas article 5 of the treaty of 1868. between the Ct ild States and the Chinese Empirethe former containing forty million inhabitants and the latter nearly fear hundred millIonsprovhidd that the parties thereto shsll impose no obstacle to the emigration of their citizens and sbicots fro one eontry to the other. for ths purpoee of curiosity. of tradc or a. permanent resideets. under which stipulation It Is notorious that large numbers of persons. frc laently aegrogating over one thousand in a sinls vessel. are Irsught into the pot of Ste Fran. cisco. by compnies of associated Chinese capitalists. under contraet nade in China. to perform labor at low wages for their masters for a series of years. within the United States. which contracts are enforced by the edicts of secret tribuinals. which inflict. in defiance of our laws. cruel and .arbttrary punishment. and whereas it is against public policy. end the future welfare cf our people. that nder any lire7txt whatever encouragument should be given. by treaty stipulation or otherwise. to the immigration. free or involuntary. of a sorvile laoeing element. whose low standard of livim and morality nruitces the communities iil which it may reside with pestiferous Iliscase. and whereas Memigol iai labor has driven from employment largo numbers of our people. by a eompettion which has beon prolific of idleness. vice. and saffering among our people. thereby assisting to fill out jails. poorhouses. and hospitals with uwilling inmates. Tlterefore. .Bltresh5liirsnohent. iithinscinh/by rsnrtrriogh) ThatosrSnonrshbrtnstnsced. and or Reliesentativcs requested. to use their inflnco to have articles 5 and 5 of our treaty with China modified so as to discourage the farther immigration of CL. nose to eur shores by appropriate qetion on the part of the Federal Government Resolved. That his excellency the governor be requested to forward a copy of the foreguing preambloand rsooltion to our Senators and Representatives in Congress. at as car y a day as possible. iF. TRWTIN.
Identified stereotypes
Chinese immigrants are described as a servile labor force that undermines the well-being of American workers, brings disease, and fills jails and hospitals.